QMI Agency

QUEBEC CITY — Confusion reigned in the Parti Quebecois caucus this week when separatists mistakenly supported a motion denouncing their own decision to cut university funding by $250 million.

In a moment of distraction, shortly after Question Period on Tuesday, PQ MNAs voted for a motion tabled by the three opposition parties that form a majority in the legislature.

The motion called on the government to waive the budget cuts, predicting that the reductions will "lead to an increase in the universities' accumulated deficit" and added that "the National Assembly reaffirms the importance for the government to reinvest in higher education."

PQ Deputy House Leader Mathieu Traversy mistakenly consented to the filing of the motion.

Several cabinet ministers tried to reverse the move but opposition parties refused.

As it turns out, the motion is not binding.

Universities have warned that the budget cuts will affect quality of service to students.